Sense of community and ties

[Beauty Mark]

How much connection do you feel towards someone or something because you and that person have x in common?

I've been thinking about this in light of the VA Tech shootings, because a lot of people are more sympathetic and feeling more- affected by the situation because they hold a common thread with a victim. For instance, I've known people who are upset because a person who was murdered was from their hometown, though they don't know them. I know other people who are particularly upset, because a belly dancer died (the people who are upset are belly dancers).

In a lighter way, do you feel instantly connected to someone because they're of the same ethnicity/grew up in your hometown/share a similar hobby?

 

[*Stargazer*]

I don't. It has to be really specific similiarities for me to feel a connection. More than just a shared hometown.

On a similar note, sorta, I was telling my husband that I find it very interesting that people keep emphasizing that this shooter was a South Korean. Because he'd been here for 15 years and I know that there is a definite culture difference between someone who just arrived here for college from South Korea and someone who was basically raised as an American. I get this because I am this. I came here at age 6 and was raised in the American culture by a Brit and a Pakistani. So if you had classified me as a Pakistani immigrant instead of an American, you'd be giving me major cultural connotations that I just don't have. I have been trying to observe if this is happening in this situation. It's been fascinating to me.

 

[*Luna*]

Since I moved from California (The Bay Area) to Arizona (Phoenix Metro) I feel a strong sense of community when I meet other people from my home area. Most of the people I meet out here are from So Cal or the East Coast so to meet someone who actually knows the area I grew up in gives us an instant common ground and numerous things to talk about. They understand the culture and community, we've visited the same places, eaten at the same restaurants, danced to the same music... it makes me smile. It makes me feel a little more "at home" eventhough I am in another state.